| Stamps
Available Now |
September 8, 2014
 |
TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION
available exclusively in the US:
TOM OF FINLAND STAMPS
Tom of Finland
Foundation is pleased to announce that Itella Posti Oy has released
the Tom of Finland stamps on Monday, September 8th. A limited
quantity of the stamp sheets, as well as a gift pack that includes
three post cards, are now available exclusively for sale in
the United States through the Tom of Finland Foundation website,
with proceeds benefiting the Foundation.
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Los Angeles, CA |
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| Events
& Exhibitions |
October
4 - 5, 2014
 |
TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION
says:
SAVE THE DATE
This year
At TOM House!
Details
|
Los Angeles, CA |
|
March
30 -
November 3, 2014
 |
TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION
Emerging
Artist Competition
Open to any
artist with the exception of previous winners of this competition,
or artists who are already commercially selling work that portrays
sexuality.
Top prize is an original Tom of Finland drawing!
Competition
is extended to November 3rd!
Details
|
Online |
|
September
6, 2014 -
March 29, 2015
 |
Museum
Centre Vapriikki
presents:
Sealed with a Secret
Correspondence of Tom of Finland
A multifaceted
portrait of the artist Touko Laaksonen
is conveyed through his extensive correspondence.
Details
|
Tampere, Finland |
|
August
28 -
September 28, 2014
 |
MUU Gallery
presents:
Tom of Finland:
Dirty Frames
The exhibition includes artists
associated
with Tom of Finland Foundation.
Details
|
Helsinki, Finland |
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| Foundation
Announcements |
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Upworthy,
a website that posts viral content, has posted the video on Tom
of Finland that was created by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
in Los Angeles. This video was used to promote MOCA’s Bob Mizer
& Tom of Finland exhibition (November 2, 2013 – January
26, 2014) and has had over 75,000 YouTube viewings.
Upworthy
introduced the video as follows: Tom of
Finland (birth name: Touko Laaksonen) was an erotic artist, but
he was so much more than that title suggests because of two things:
who he was drawing and when he was drawing them.
More on
TOM's
Blog
|
Durk Dehner and
Tom of Finland.
|
Finnish
national newspaper Iltalehti has published
a full page article on Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen). The article’s
title quotes Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) President Durk Dehner:
“Touko ei ollut vain taiteilija” (translation: “Touko was not only
an artist”).
Featuring an
interview with Durk, the article discusses the current wave of Tom
of Finland projects – all accomplished with ToFF support – in Tom’s
native Finland. Two of these projects were launched on September
8: the forthcoming Tom of Finland postal stamp series, which has
attracted worldwide attention, and a coinciding exhibition of Tom’s
letter correspondence, Sealed With A Secret – Correspondence
of Tom of Finland, Two other projects were launched: Tom of
Finland: Dirty Frames – an exhibition of Tom’s comic art, alongside
comic art by other ToFF-associated artists – and a book of Tom’s
comics in their original Finnish text, Tom of Finland: Sarja
Kuvia.
More on
TOM's
Blog. |
 |
Tom of
Finland’s work and legacy has continued to receive prominent attention
in his native Finland, with Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) President
Durk Dehner and Vice President S. R. Sharp appearing on Finnish
radio station Radio Rock.
Appearing on
the rock station’s most popular program, Heikelä Korporaatio
(Heikelä Corporation), Durk and Sharp discussed a range of
topics, including the forthcoming Tom of Finland postal stamp series,
a newly-released book of Tom’s comics in their original Finnish
text, the Tom of Finland biopic in development by director Dome
Karukoski – and even Tom’s influence on popular rock music.
More on
TOM's
Blog with video links |
Sharp,
Jouni Lepistö (artist);
and Durk Dehner. |
Capacity
crowd enjoys the opening of Tom of Finland: Dirty Frames
exhibition.
The opening of the exhibition
attracted a capacity crowd at Helsinki’s MUU Galleria, with many
attendees needing to cool off outdoors. Durk Dehner, Tom of Finland
Foundation (ToFF) president, later praised the launch as the best
opening of a Tom of Finland exhibition that he had attended, with
ToFF Vice President, S. R. Sharp, adding: “Everyone was laughing
and totally enjoying it!”
More on
TOM's
Blog |
Artwork:
Mari Kasurinen |
In 2012,
a Huffington Post article reported that Finnish artist
Mari Kasurinen had created a sculpture series “My
Little Pop Icons” – a range of customised My Little Pony sculptures
modelled after pop culture icons.
More recently,
however, Kasurinen has come to attention for adding a new sculpture
to her series – a My Little Pony modelled after Finland’s most famous
artist, Tom of Finland. My Little Tom of Finland joins many other
pop culture favourites in Kasurinen’s My Little Pony pantheon, including
My Little Michael Jackson, My Little Elvis, My Little Ziggy Stardust,
and many more.
More on
TOM's
Blog
|
Gold Cap
Restored 1978 Polaroid photograph 14.25” x 11”. |
Tom of
Finland Foundation has received a donation of a photograph that
was included in The Fairoaks Project,
an exhibit of Polaroid photographs that Frank Melleno
took of the Fairoaks Hotel, a San Francisco bathhouse, in the spring
and summer of 1978.
Signed and donated by
the show’s curator, Gary Freeman, the photograph
is called Gold Cap. It is captioned: “A strategically placed
clothespin advertises a preference by this sensitive young man.”
More on
TOM's
Blog |
Photo: Leon Mostovoy |
A
wedding at TOM House! On Thursday August 14, the first
ever wedding was held at TOM House when author Tom Cho
and scholar Jackie Wykes were married in the backyard
garden at sunset.
In February
this year, Tom had a four day stay at TOM House. This stay informed
his essay on Tom of Finland, which was published by Canadian national
newspaper National Post in May (Part 1 and Part 2 of this two-part
essay, “Tom and Me”, can be read online). In June, as Tom prepared
to return to TOM House for a longer stay, Jackie – who had edited
Tom’s essay – suggested TOM House as the venue for their forthcoming
wedding.
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"Palanca's Hideaway"
plaque. |
On
July 22 this year, Palanca, an artist from Peru
who was a close friend of Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF), passed
away. Last year, ToFF had most of the rooms of TOM House designated
with plaques. One of the closets in TOM House was designated as
“Palanca’s Hideaway”:
|
TOM OF FINLAND
(Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920 – 1991), Untitled (Preparatory drawing),
c. 1979, Graphite on paper, 8.31" x 11.69", ToFF #1004 ©
1979 Tom of Finland Foundation |
Frontiers,
a Southern California LGBT magazine, has promoted the 2014
Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition.
As noted by contributor
Dominic Preston, “L.A.’s Tom of Finland Foundation
is this year celebrating both the 10th anniversary of its Emerging
Artist Competition, and the 30th anniversary of the foundation itself”.
Read the
full article by Dominic Preston in Frontiers |
 |
Issue
25 of gay men’s leather fetish publication Instigator
Magazine contained a retrospective article on the
magazine’s featured artists over the past decade – among them, Tom
of Finland and many other artists who have had involvement with
Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF).
Titled
“The Art of Instigation”, the article featured work by Tom, along
with ToFF-associated artists such as Pedro Palanca, Hector Silva,
GreaseTank, Sean Platter and many more. The article also gives a
special thanks to ToFF:
More on
TOM's Blog |
Cover of
The Archive, issue #49 |
The
Spring issue of The Archive, the journal of the Leslie
Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, contained an appreciative
write-up of the Bob Mizer and Tom of Finland exhibition
held at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) from November
2, 2013-January 26, 2014.
Written
by Hunter O’Hanian, Director of the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay
and Lesbian Art, the article discussed both the MOCA exhibition
and Art & Physique Circa Bob & Tom, a coinciding
exhibition at the ONE Archives Gallery and Museum. O’Hanian’s article
was titled “Pretty and Think: Two Exhibitions in LA Explore the
Work of Tom of Finland, Bob Mizer, and Others”.
More on
TOM's
Blog |
Photo of
Durk Dehner
by J. E. Ponce |
Durk
Dehner, in his role as president of Tom of Finland Foundation,
was recently commended by The Regiment of the Black and
Tans, a Los Angeles based social and fraternal organization
for men with an interest in uniforms. Durk received his award for
outstanding service to The Regiment over a period spanning 2000-2014.
The award was
presented at The Regiment’s 40th Anniversary Dinner on 12 July.
The foundation also exhibited a selection of Tom of Finland artwork
at the event. For the occasion, Durk dressed in full leather, with
Tom of Finland insignia – a Tom of Finland belt buckle and a “Tom’s
Men” patch (this patch is currently available to those who join
the Foundation at the Commodore level of membership):
More on
TOM's
Blog |
|
Your
key to kewl, by Various Projects.
TOM OF
FINLAND
LICK TOM — TOM HOUSE
TOM’S MAN* — TOM’S GIRL*
More on
TOM's
Blog |
|
| Art
News |
Canadian
Premiere Of Tom In America
At Festival Des Films Du Monde Montreal 2014
Sally Kirkland's character makes a discovery. |
The film Tom
in America, starring Academy Award nominees Burt Young and Sally
Kirkland, recently had its Canadian premiere when it was screened for
the 2014 Festival Des Films Du Monde Montreal (Montreal World Film Festival)
on August 23 and 24, 2014. The director and stars were also present
for a Q&A.
Directed by Flavio Alves,
the film’s synopsis makes reference to the Tom of Finland doll that
was released in 2011:
For 50 years, Michael and Betty have been united by one guiding principle:
no secrets. But when a provocative Tom of Finland doll triggers Michael’s
long-buried desires, Betty discovers that secrets have been part of
their life all along. With long-held mysteries thrust into the open,
the foundation of their marriage and the path of their golden years
is suddenly rocked. Now, they must redefine their future, and decide
if it is one their love can survive.
More on TOM's
Blog with a video link.
|
Kuukausiliite
Photoshopped a Tom Leatherman
Into Photo Of Helsinki Landmark
Detail from a depiction of the Havis Amanda
statue,
re-imagined with a Tom of Finland leatherman
|
|
Havis Amanda statue (1908)
|
Sculpted by Finnish artist Ville Vallgren (1855-1940) and unveiled in
1908, Havis Amanda is one of the most popular landmarks in Helsinki.
Located at the city’s Market Square, it is commonly used as a meeting
place for locals. Vallgren originally called the statue Merenneito (Finnish
for “mermaid”), but it eventually became known as Havis Amanda
(“sea nymph” in Swedish). Although the statue was originally the subject
of controversy due in part to its nudity, it came to gain wider acceptance
and today is considered a symbol of Helsinki.
This is not
the first time that the Havis Amanda has been subject to affectionate
modification. Every year, university students place a Finnish student
cap on the statue’s head as part of Vappu
celebrations for the coming of Spring. As can be seen from the full
article in Kuukausiliite (in PDF form here),
the Tom of Finland parody involves two additional hats: as well as the
leatherman’s cap, one of the sea lions surrounding the statue is wearing
a leather cap.
More on TOM's
Blog
|
TOM's
Buddies:
Excerpt From Tom Of Finland’s War Journal Published
Mainiolla uimarannalla,
which translates into English as Ideally the Beach. |
An excerpt
from Tom of Finland’s war journal has appeared in a new book that literally
lays bare intimate moments shared by servicemen during World War II.
During the war, soldiers
were encouraged to establish close “buddy” relationships for emotional
support. Recently released by art book publisher TASCHEN, My Buddy:
World War II Laid Bare features photos of these intimate buddy
relationships from an archive collected by Los Angeles photographer
Michael Stokes, along with texts by writers such as Gore Vidal.
More on TOM's
Blog
|
Tom
of Finland: Dirty Frames
Gets National Media Coverage In Helsinki
Tom's art on Yle's TV channel TV1 |
The recent
opening of the comics exhibition Tom of Finland: Dirty Frames
at MUU Gallery in Helsinki has attracted media coverage from Yle, Finland’s
national public service broadcasting company.
The August 28 exhibition
opening made the 6 PM news bulletin of Yle’s TV
channel TV1 the following evening and featured an interview with Tom
of Finland Foundation (ToFF) president Durk Dehner.
The opening was also the launch of a book from Finnish publisher Like
Publishing, Tom of Finland: Sarja Kuvia. ToFF teamed with this
publisher to present numerous Tom of Finland comics in their original
Finnish text, including several stories that appeared in print for the
first time.
More on TOM's
Blog with a video link.
|
TOM Published In
His Native Finnish:
Tom of Finland – Sarja Kuvia
COVER ART: TOM OF FINLAND, Untitled
(From "Jukka's Horny Adventure",
recreated by Sean Platter — studio splatter, 2014),
1957, Pen & ink on paper |
"The mere
mention of the name “Tom of Finland” has always brought a smile to people’s
faces and, with this in mind, it is with great pleasure that we partner
with Like Publishing in bringing to Finland this special book of Tom’s
comics with their original Finnish text. To the best of our knowledge,
several of these stories have never before been published.
"We dedicate this compendium
to those mentioned here and everyone else in Finland who has, and will
carry, the banner of pride associated with the name and legacy of this
amazing Finn. His artistic and social legacy continues to influence
and transform culture worldwide."
— Durk
Dehner, President and Cofounder, Tom of Finland Foundation
Tom of Finland —
Sarja kuvia is being published in paperback and totals 128 pages.
You don't have to understand Finish to enjoy the artwork!
More on TOM's
Blog.
|
Attracting Wide Attention:
Tom of Finland Stamps And Corresponding Exhibition
Sealed with a Secret:
Correspondence of Tom of Finland exhibition
(photo: Juha White River)
|
The Tom of
Finland postal stamp series and a coinciding exhibition of Tom's letter
correspondence, Sealed With A Secret — Correspondence of Tom
of Finland, recently launched in Finland to national and international
attention.
Finland’s postal service,
Itella Posti Oy, released the Tom of Finland stamp series on Monday,
September 8. The three 1st class stamps were coordinated by Solja Järvenpää
of Arts Promotion Centre Finland; Susanna Luoto and Durk Dehner of Tom
of Finland Foundation (ToFF); and Timo Berry of Finnish design agency
BOTH. In the lead-up to the release, the historic sheet of three stamps
raised immense interest worldwide, attracting preorders from 178 countries.
On the same day as the stamp
release, the Sealed With A Secret — Correspondence of Tom
of Finland exhibition opened as the inaugural show at Finland’s
new Postal Museum. Housed in the Vapriikki museum centre in the city
of Tampere, this exhibition features a selection of Tom’s correspondence
– on display for the first time – along with a selection of additional
items, including some of Tom's clothing.
More on TOM's
Blog.
|
Tom of Finland? In China?
Art World Magazine Features An Excerpt From
Tom of Finland’s Biography
TOM OF FINLAND (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920
– 1991),
Daddy’s Day (Detail), 1982, Graphite
on paper, © 1982 Tom of Finland Foundation
|
Art World
Magazine, an influential art magazine published out of China, has
published an excerpt from Tom of Finland's authorised biography, translated
into Chinese.
Tom of Finland Foundation
approved the publication of the excerpt from Tom of Finland: Life
and Work of a Gay Hero, written by F. Valentine Hooven III and
published by Bruno Gmünder Publishing in 2012. The excerpt appeared
in issue 272 of Art World Magazine – an issue titled "Sexy
Signal", which focussed on sex and bodies in contemporary art.
More on TOM's
Blog.
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